The new San Mateo High School Biotechnology building is a state-of-the-art laboratory, classroom and staff conference facility. It is positioned next to the existing science building (East Wing) and linked by an exterior bridge, allowing teachers to use both facilities seamlessly. An existing parking lot between the classroom buildings was converted into a plaza, which extends the center of campus East to the new Biotechnology Building and provides a safe area for students and staff to gather.
The building features a 9,100 square foot open laboratory space on the first floor with clean room support spaces along the perimeter for plant tissue, biomanufacturing and staining. The center of the space is customized to the staff’s needs by creating teaching zones for computer research, lectures and lab experiments. The second floor provides the staff with four offices, two large conference rooms for lectures and science events, as well as ample storage. In addition, a 3,000 square foot roof deck was designed with a glass enclosed greenhouse for the science department to further expand their educational program. The roof deck is accessible through the Biotechnology Building as well as the connecting bridge, allowing access to the garden.
